Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Landfill Tax Relief: Local Authorities

Tuesday 19 December 2023 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial Questions took place on 2023-12-19 regarding landfill tax relief for local authorities handling hazardous waste from liquidated companies.
  • The Government introduced a 78 million fund to support contaminated land remediation, opening for bids in early 2024.
  • The Minister encouraged Lancaster City Council to apply for the 78 million fund through standard procedures.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Cat Smith Lab Lancaster and Wyre
Taxation Local Government Environment
Context

The question arises from the issue of contaminated land left by companies going into liquidation. Specifically, there is a burning site in Lancaster that may require significant clean-up costs.

Question

If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing landfill tax relief for local authorities who are responsible for hazardous waste after companies go into liquidation.

Answer from Gareth Davies

Landfill tax provides a sustainable incentive but was not designed to hinder land remediation. The Government's autumn statement introduced a £78 million fund to support contaminated land remediation. This fund will open for bids in early 2024 and the council is encouraged to apply.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The question of tax relief was not directly addressed; only mentioned as part of an ongoing review.

How: Ongoing Review

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Q2 Cat Smith Lab Lancaster and Wyre
Housing Local Government Environment
Context

For two weeks, an old Supa Skips waste site in Lancaster has been on fire. It is unclear if Lancaster City Council will have to bear the cost of clean-up due to landfill tax obligations.

Question

Happy Christmas, Mr Speaker. For two weeks now the old Supa Skips site in Lancaster has been burning, and it looks as if Lancaster City Council will be left to pick up the tab for the clean-up. Some of that money has to be spent on landfill tax. Will the Minister meet me and Lancaster City Council to discuss what options are open to my local council to ensure that local ratepayers are not left footing the bill for rogue companies that walk away from sites, such as Supa Skips?

Answer from Gareth Davies

Landfill tax is successful but not intended to impede remediation. The recently announced £78 million fund will be open for bids in early 2024, and the council should apply through standard procedures. There's an ongoing review of landfill tax exemptions that might offer targeted support.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No commitment to a meeting was made; only suggested applying for funds as per usual procedure.

How: Ongoing Review

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